Tissue interactions with dentin specimens after demineralization using tetracycline.

Greater cell attachment to demineralized dentin has been associated with subsequent development of a fiber attachment system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tissue interactions to dentin demineralized with different concentrations of tetracycline solution. Dentin specimens were obtained from beneath root surfaces covered by periodontal ligament. Each rectangular specimen had a face of root surface dentin and an opposite surface of pulpal dentin. Experimental specimens were treated with a tetracycline solution of either 200 mg/cc or 100 mg/cc for five minutes. The remaining group of specimens served as untreated controls. Specimens were implanted transcutaneously into incisional wounds on the dorsal surface of rats with one end protruding through the skin. Four specimens in each group were available for examination one and ten days after implantation. Histologic and histometric analysis of both root and pulpal surface of implants included counts of adhering cells, assessment of implant length within the connective tissue, and evaluation of connective tissue fiber relationships. In each group, specimens became severely extruded between days one and ten, the number of attached cells decreased, and a fiber attachment system did not develop. Tetracycline-treated surfaces had greater numbers of attached cells at both time points compared to untreated controls. No differences were discernible relating to different tetracycline concentrations. It was concluded that tetracycline-demineralized dentin provided a substrate that increased cell attachment; however, this enhanced response did not result in a connective tissue attachment.